The European Union is preparing to open an embassy in the Icelandic capital city of Reykjavik, according to MBL. They will be looking to employ their staff sometime in the beginning of next year. Housing, buildings, and an ambassador to Iceland from the European Union will be looked into in the near future.
The embassy of the European Union in Oslo handles affairs dealing with Iceland for the time being.
“An EU embassy makes sense in the same way that creeping federalism and bloated bureaucracy make sense, so an EEA embassy isn’t any less sensible! :-)”
Very true, the EU dream is to have a constitution,
to override all attemts of EU countrys to be in control of their own people, and assets :)
@ Øystein; Norway:
Yes, is very confusing, and that’s way some people see the EU as a country and not as an IGO.
Thanks, I checked in the link you sent and notice that they name an Ambassador, but still the Representation is called “European Commission Delegation” or “Europakommisjonens delegasjon”, so I’m not sure if there for we can call it Embassy (it also makes sense). But again, is matter of terms, and the purpose is still the same I guess.
The important thing is not to confuse the EU as a country (or sovereign state), that unleashes many EU-phobias. It is still an IGO, but of course a very polemic one with a lot to debate, no doubt of that, but that’s another topic.
>An EU embassy makes sense in the same way that creeping federalism and bloated bureaucracy make sense, so an EEA embassy isn’t any less sensible! :-)
Now I understand what you are getting at.
Yes, true.
Utlendingar – Sorry, I don´t take it personal – translations between languages i not alway easy, and we somtimes use the word different. This can even happend in the EU:
http://www.europakommisjonen.no/en/about_us/index.htm
Apparently there are some people here that still think that EU is a COUNTRY. But this is just confusion in terms. A small explanation:
Only countries (sovereign states) place embassies in other countries. EU is NOT a country there for it makes the right term is NOT “Embassy” of the EU in Iceland, but DELEGATION or Representative Office of the EU in Iceland. If you what to use a term that applies to all, then is “Diplomatic Mission”. Embassy can only be called for representation within countries and there has to be an “Ambassador” appointed.
Talking about an embassy of EU is the same as talking about an embassy of NATO, NAFTA , WTO or “MercoSur” . These are Intergovernmental Organizations (IGO’s) and they normally place DELEGATIONS not Embassies.
See the now Jim’s point? And another question, what will happen with that “embassy” if Iceland enters to the EU?
And please don’t take anything personal, this is just a correction in terms.
“EU embassy make sence, not EEA embassy”
An EU embassy makes sense in the same way that creeping federalism and bloated bureaucracy make sense, so an EEA embassy isn’t any less sensible! :-)
Jim – EEA is just one of many agreements EU has – EU embassy make sence, not EEA embassy.
“You mean EFTA, not EEA. EU and EFTA states are both part of EEA.”
No, I meant the EEA. It is irrelevant that EU and EFTA states are part of the EEA; I was just identifying yet another area (similar to the EU, but different) that could potentially have its own embassies.
Fisy – “…Iceland and Norway have complete freedom to do that as EFTA states.”
Some say that Norway is a Banana republic, just because we are allowded to import the bananas we want ;-)
Jim wrote :
>I was rather facetiously wondering whether there exists Embassies of the EEA, which could be found only in states outside the EEA…
You mean EFTA, not EEA. EU and EFTA states are both part of EEA.
Yes, Alexander E and Øystein, this is what the EU constit. I mean ” Lisbon Treaty ” is all about.
So looks like ( if this story is true — check other sources ) that someone in EU commission is jumping the gun and assuming that Ireland is going to be forced into saying yes to Lisbon.
EU burecrats want EU itself as world power and superstate.
Already EU has reached full customs union ( and some monetary union ) so you are an EU member, you can’t negotiate trade deals with other countrys. It has to go through the EU commission.
Iceland and Norway have complete freedom to do that as EFTA states.
I still dont understand why UK wants to be part of EU instead of EFTA which it founded.
Well the EU actually has “information centers” located in all EU nations and applicant nation-states. Shall we call it an Embassy? Not really, but that is the overall future goal of Brussels.
Øystein – Note that I wasn’t wondering whether states within the EEA (such as Norway) have embassies in states within the EU (such as within Belgium). It kinda makes sense that states have embassies in other states.
I was originally surprised that the EU entity has embassies. After all, the EU is just a union of states, not a state itself. So, I was rather facetiously wondering whether there exists Embassies of the EEA, which could be found only in states outside the EEA…
AE – Doing nothing?? From 1. of Septhember is the incandescent light bulb prohibited to sale – so I think there will be a lot to do to make this change a smooth as possible ;-).
Exactly, Øystein!
Have a nice salary, nice office, in the nice place and do nothing – that’s the dream of any professional politician …. ;-)
Jim – Norway has a 13(11+2)floor/7500 (5500+2000sqm) Embassy in Brussel…
First time I read about EU embassies. I have live in different countries and always saw embassies of each individual nation of the EU not an EU embassy.
Weird!! and STINKS!!
I didn’t know the EU had embassies around the world! WTF… Are there EEA embassies as well?!!!
Hey EU!
GET OFF OUR LAND!!
Finally, I agree with you Alexander. :)
What a waste of EU member state money on the EU super state.
But at least it shows how interested the EU commission is in getting Iceland in.
Embassy? Of EU?
That’s nice. People will get a chance to show what they feel about EU. And that time it might be not so soft stuff like skyr :-)